The Sovereign Hill Museums Association is a not-for profit community-based organisation that includes: Sovereign Hill Outdoor Museum, Sovereign Hill Hotel, AURA and Narmbool and soon to be opened Australian Centre for Rare Trades and Arts and the Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections. It cares for a nationally and internationally significant collection of over 150,000 objects and protects the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the Victorian gold rush.
We are an Australian tourism icon that attracts some 500,000 visitors annually. The Outdoor Museum is internationally renowned as a living museum featuring rare trades, and programs and experiences that interpret a pivotal point in Australia’s history. In all, some 350 staff work to bring our gold-rush story to life. They are supported by over 250 volunteers.
About the role
Under the strategic guidance of the Head of Collections and Curatorial, the Collections Officer will be responsible for care and registration of the Sovereign Hill Museums Association Collection across a number of museum sites.
The primary purpose of the role is to support the care, management and access to collections including;
- physical and digital documentation
- policy and procedure development and implementation
- preservation and conservation, storage, object handling, and adherence to legislative guidelines
- Access to collections including managing and responding to research enquiries, processing acquisitions, delivering tours and talks
- Training and support of interns and volunteers as required.
This role will ideally suit applicants with the following competencies:
- At least 3 years’ experience in Museum work or a related field
- Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of the role of museums in preserving cultural heritage and communicating its significance to the wider community
- Sound knowledge of general museum practice, with particular emphasis on collection management, preventative conservation, collections storage, and related museum policies and procedures
- Sound knowledge of museum legislative requirements with regards to firearms, ammunition, medical and pharmaceutical collections.
- Demonstrated high level computer skills in Microsoft Office programs and museum database programs (Vernon or similar)
- Knowledge of web based communication as it relates to museums
- Well-developed spoken, written and presentation skills, and an ability to represent the Association in a professional manner
- Excellent organisational skills and proven ability to manage a range of projects simultaneously and to balance priorities
An undergraduate degree in a relevant area is essential. Tertiary qualifications in Museum Studies, Cultural Heritage Studies, History, Public History, Archaeology, Material Culture or related Materials Sciences will be highly regarded.
Sovereign Hill welcomes, encourages and endorses applications from diverse backgrounds and provides equal opportunities to all who wish to apply.
For more information or to apply visit the Sovereign Hill website.
